I just started knitting when I was recovering from surgery last winter and I'm telling you youtube was my best friend lol.. I had bought whatever beginner kit walmart had and it came with alot of the stuff I needed but I honestly never opened the book that came with it. I would get them a couple sets of needles (you can get a variety pack of crochet needles pretty cheap with a Michaels/Joann's/Hobby Lobby coupon), some yarn and let them peruse youtube for beginning knitting/crocheting videos and I'm sure they will pick it up in no time